Every year as Easter comes around, shops and homes are filled with an array of different Easter-themed symbols and traditions. From bunnies, hot-cross buns and coloured eggs, to crosses, chickens and more – they are staples in almost any promotional item or decoration. If you have ever wondered why these items, in particular, are the symbols of Easter, then keep reading.
Why do we celebrate Easter?
To understand why so many of the symbols of Easter are used, it is important to go back to to the origins of why we celebrate this day each year in the first place.
One of the most important dates in the Christian calendar, the Easter three-day long weekend celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the Bible, Jesus died on the cross on Good Friday. He was then buried for three days before being resurrected and gaining new life on Easter Sunday. For this reason, so many of the symbols of Easter are centred around the cross and the creation of new life.
Symbols of Easter
The Cross
One of the most powerful religious Easter symbols is the cross. In the Bible, Jesus is said to have been crucified on the cross on Good Friday. This symbol represents the Christian belief of not only the sacrifices Jesus made in dying to save our sins but in the miracle of him rising again on the third day.
Hot cross buns
The Christmas tinsel has only just come down, and almost immediately, the supermarkets are overflowing with hot cross buns. For many people, they are the first sign that Easter is on its way, and a store filled with warm, tasty favourites is usually emptied just as quickly by eager shoppers.
The small square buns feature a cross made of flour paste across the top, which of course symbolises the cross on which Jesus Christ died. The spices in hot cross buns are said to represent those used to prepare Christ for the tomb.
You can have a go at making your own hot cross buns from this popular online recipe from Taste.
Baby Chicks
Baby Chicks are a common symbol of Easter. They are born by hatching from an egg and symbolise new life and fertility. This once again links back to Jesus Christ being reborn on Easter Sunday and the beginning of new life.
We have a super cute (and easy) Easter Egg Carton Chicken craft your kids will love!
Easter eggs
The egg symbolises the story of Christ’s resurrection in many ways. Already a pagan symbol of fertility and rebirth, the Christian Easter tradition likens the eggshell to the tomb in which Jesus’ body lay for three days. Therefore, breaking open the eggs is meant to symboliee Jesus rising again and leaving the tomb.
Coloured Easter Eggs
For many families, one of the most enjoyable Easter crafts they do together is painting hard-boiled or blown eggs for decoration. Although we already know that the egg symbolises rebirth and the tomb in which Jesus Christ laid for three days, there is actually a reason why painted eggs have become an Easter tradition too. In the early Christian Church eggs were dyed a red colour to symbolise the blood that Jesus shed when crucified. Over the years, the eggs were not just dyed red but painted with small Biblical scenes.
Make your own painted eggs with our simple Easter Egg Painting Craft.
Chocolate and Easter Sweets
Ever wondered why the Easter celebration is traditionally filled with chocolate and sweets?
Lent is a 40 day season of prayer and fasting that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter and is done to commemorate the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert and enduring the temptation of Satan.
During Lent, sweets and chocolates are not allowed, and so as Easter follows straight afterwards, it has become a tradition to enjoy the many sweets and chocolates that are prohibited on the celebratory days that follow.
The Easter Bunny
Victoria Park easter bunny
So with all this talk of chicken and eggs, where did the idea of the Easter Bunny come from and with him, one of THE most recognisable symbols of Easter?
There are several reasons why the bunny became a central figure in our Easter celebrations. Originating from the pagan festival of Eostre, whose goddess was represented by a rabbit, the rabbit was considered another symbol of fertility and rebirth due to how quickly they reproduce.
These sweet little Easter Bunny Mashmallow Pops are simple to make and a great addition to your Easter dessert spread!
Easter Egg Hunts
The Easter Egg Hunt is one of the most popular events on Easter Sunday for children. As we know, eggs are symbolic in the Christian Easter celebration for representing life, rebirth and Christ’s resurrection. Did you know that this fun little tradition symbolises the search for Jesus’ body? This occurred on Easter Sunday when he rose again, the tomb was found open and empty and he was nowhere to be found.
The Lamb
Have you ever heard about the sayings “the sacrificial lamb” and “taking the lamb to the slaughter”? Regarding Easter, baby animals in general are seen as representing rebirth and new life. The lamb, though, is said to represent Jesus Christ himself. In the Bible, it reads that Jesus was sent to Earth to sacrifice his life on Good Friday to save our sins. Like a lamb to the slaughter. He was led to his death for the sake of all others.
Easter Candles
Easter candles are often lit over the long weekend in churches and homes around the world. They are said to represent the light of Jesus Christ.
Easter Lillies
As candles light up homes at Easter, lilies are usually on full display too. Easter lilies often feature in floral displays during the Easter celebration due to the many legends surrounding their existence in the story of Christ’s resurrection. It is believed by many that lilies grew up from the earth around the cross where Jesus died. Also, according to the Bible, the petals of the white lily signify virginity, purity and the radiant soul of the Virgin Mary.
For these reasons, Easter lilies have come to be a symbol of everlasting life, purity and new life.
Easter Bonnets / Hat
Easter bonnet and hat parades are a tradition that most schools and young children enjoy being a part of each year. The idea is to decorate your hat with an elaborate and fancy display relating to the Easter celebration.
It is believed that this tradition stemmed from the superstition that wearing new clothes to church on Easter Sunday would bring good fortune. New clothes are also seen to bring ‘new life’ to those who wear them. Over time, these creations became more elaborate, with members eventually parading their finery for all after their Sunday service each year.
Palm branches
A Christian service is held the week before Easter known as Palm Sunday. During this service, palm fronds are used to recreate Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem ahead of his crucifixion. The Bible states that the people of Jerusalem laid palms and other items ahead of him as he travelled and are now recognised as an Easter peace symbol.
Pretzels and soft breads
In early times, Catholics weren’t allowed to eat eggs, fat, or milk during Lent. As pretzels require only flour, salt, and water, they became a popular food during this period.
It is said that their shape symbolises the common prayer position with arms crossed. In many other countries, soft and sweet breads are used to mark the end of Lent and are usually adorned with crosses, pictures of lambs or eggs.
Butterflies
A lesser known symbol of Easter for many, the butterfly and the way it emerges, transformed, from it chrysalis is said to represent Jesus emerging from the tomb. The butterfly’s transformation is also likened to the way a Christian is transformed when they take Jesus into their hearts and ask for his forgiveness.
If you enjoyed reading all about the symbols of Easter, you may also enjoy:
Creating Easter Memories – Ideas and Tips
Join the conversation